The term ‘in transit’ characterizes the plight of millions around the world who are fleeing from war, ethnic conflict, poverty, political repression, the impact of climate change or natural disasters. The famine in Somalia, the earthquake in Erciş, Turkey, the catastrophe in Fukushima and the floods in Bangkok have led to a common scenario of having lost everything. Even escape from burn-out, the search for a place, a mission, a job, or for meaning and new survival strategies creates a state of being ’in transit’.

Curator Jaana Prüss has chosen the work of artists from the LORIS Gallery that represent the manifestation and photographic exploration of areas such as migration, flight, parting, deportation, abandoned landscapes, homelessness, places of refuge and temporary dwelling.

Claudia Fischer’s installation Personal Belongings – sculptural packages of unknown content – inspired them to pursue the question: what would I take with me if I had to leave my home within the hour and set out for the unknown?”. For the exhibition, film-makers, artists, critics and architects, among others, have packed up the personal belongings of special meaning to them, personal memories, survival tools, private objects and can’t do withouts.

The result is an ensemble of outer manifestations and inner motives, inviting viewers to pursue current social issues involving change and personal values, transitional states and interim arrangements, opportunities to abstain and new perspectives.

Linked to the exhibition, workshops for children entitled “In my suitcase I’m taking with me ...” will be held on Saturday, 26th November and Saturday, 10th December between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.